This week I got the opportunity to try out a class at Ember Hot Yoga, a studio in Woodstock that’s growing quickly and making a mark. After the Tuesday night Hot Sequence class (a first for me!), I got the opportunity to speak with Jeff Sousa, the owner of the studio, and I learned that this studio is going places.

Ember opened in September of 2010 and has already seen over 800 students come through its doors. The studio is supremely well-designed with an urban feel and is rounded out by a retail store stocked with top brands like Hard Tail Forever, yogitoes and Spiritual Gangster–brands that you can’t find unless you move further into the city. Top teachers run a variety of unique classes you can’t find elsewhere, and nationally-recognized workshop instructors are coming in droves.

I’ve listed here five things that you need to know about the studio. You can bet you’ll be hearing more about it in the future.

Just because it’s in Woodstock doesn’t mean that it’s out of reach for Atlantans

Before you discount this as an outer-burbs studio, know that Woodstock is much closer than you think. I live in Buckhead and was able to make the drive from Ember to my home in just over 20 minutes. Because of its proximity to the interstate, the studio is very accessible.

Ember attracts top teachers

The teachers at Ember come from a variety of top studios further in the city like Atlanta Hot Yoga, Exhale MindBody Spa, Decatur Hot Yoga, and more. This is also a testament to the fact that the studio is located in a convenient area for city-dwellers!

With top workshops and teachers coming through, Ember is quickly becoming a destination studio

Jeff’s 5-year goal is to elevate Ember into a place where people travel throughout the Southeast to attend high-quality workshops, teacher trainings, classes and more. He is already working feverishly to this goal by having workshops from the likes of Todd LeBerge coming up. Think an Asheville Yoga Center for our state.

You’ll find classes at Ember that you can’t find elsewhere

There are upwards of 40 weekly classes held at Ember, with a top-notch selection of styles. Dharma yoga classes in a variety of levels, weekly candlelight classes, hot power reggae and hot pilates join a classic lineup of Hot yoga, Power, Kundalini and Restorative styles.

Ember reaches new demographics

Jeff puts a lot of energy into earning the trust and following of men–a famously unreached group of yogis. He has worked to prove that the practice is both challenging and worthwhile for strength and flexibility. He is also attracting the attention of athletes around the area, with workshops for triathletes and runners.

I would highly recommend that you check out this studio. I feel fairly confident in saying that within the next couple years, Ember will be on the top of your radar.

Check out Atlanta Yoga Scene’s Facebook page for studio pictures!